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ONE IN FOUR AUSSIES CHASING THE PERFECT "SUMMER BODY" - BUT AT WHAT COST?

MyFitnessPal

Key Facts:

  • One in four (25%) Australians surveyed are planning to achieve a “summer body” this season, according to a new survey from number one global food and nutrition tracking app, MyFitnessPal.

  • Most surveyed Aussies aiming for a summer body plan to cut calories, with men (63%) more likely than women (52%) to do so. 

  • However, nearly one in four women (23%) surveyed plan to skip meals in pursuit of this ideal standard, prompting calls from experts to adopt a progress over perfection mindset to dieting and overall health.


Sydney, Australia, 2 September 2025 –  As the countdown to summer officially begins, new survey data has revealed the concerning lengths some Australians are willing to go to in order to feel “beach-body” ready in preparation for the hotter season.   

According to new data from global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal, one in four (25%) Australians surveyed are preparing for the warmer months by planning to achieve a “summer body” this year. Within this group, younger demographics are the most likely to feel pressured to attain the perfect physique, with nearly half (45%) of 18 to 24 year-olds wanting to achieve a “summer body” ahead of the season, followed closely by four in 10 (40%) of older millennials and more than one in three (34%) of 25–34-year-olds. 

The data also points to a concerning trend, with two in five men (40%) and over a quarter of women (27%) respondents admitting to planning to follow a strict diet to prepare for a “summer body”. In fact, nearly a quarter of women surveyed (23%) plan to skip meals, while 45% of men plan to engage in intense cardio in order to pursue an ideal physique this summer. 

Nutritionist and MyFitnessPal Ambassador Michaela Sparrow said “While many Australians might turn to restrictive diets in the hope of achieving quick results before the hot season, they can carry real risks for our health. Real progress starts with balance, not restriction.”

Among those planning to shed kilos ahead of the period, nearly three in four respondents (73%) are looking to lose 4kg or more.

“Rather than focusing on a number on the scales or being influenced by possible unrelenting societal standards, I encourage Aussies to take a closer look at our diets and better understand how the food we eat fuels our bodies, in summer and beyond,” said Michaela. 

“When you take the time to track your nutrition to learn and adapt your daily intake of key nutrients, such as protein and fibers, you can begin gaining a stronger awareness of the link between nutrition and overall wellbeing, which awareness can help support changes that not only benefits our looks, but more importantly our health,” continued Michaela. 

To help spark more informed and helpful nutrition-based conversations ahead of summer, MyFitnessPal recently also hosted an activation on the Gold Coast, with campaign ambassador Caity Viant challenging locals to guess the macro content of popular Aussie snacks and everyday foods - watch here. The beachside event aimed to educate Australians about balanced nutrition and dispel myths around food “rules” and dieting.

To discover the latest features and learn more about your macro intake, visit: www.myfitnesspal.com or download the MyFitnessPal  app for free via the Apple App Store or Google Play.


About us:

About MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is the #1 global nutrition and food tracking app founded in 2005 with a mission to help people around the world reach their health goals through better food choices by providing knowledge, motivation, and a sense of progress. Supporting nearly 1 million people in reaching their nutrition and fitness goals every year and with a community of over 280 million members in over 120 countries, MyFitnessPal offers members one of the world’s most comprehensive nutrition and food tracking platforms, allowing them to track their food, create personalized and goal-driven meal plans, record exercise activity, and log their weight. With one of the largest food databases in the world comprising over 20 million foods, access to over 2,000 recipes, and over 35 connected fitness partners, MyFitnessPal provides members with the tools for positive healthy change. 


Contact details:

For more information about MyFitnessPal, contact: [email protected]